Using a classic poem from Paul Laurence Dunbar (influential for poets such as Maya Angelou), this guide explores how to write a poem about freedom (or its opposite). Group activities designed for KS3, and featuring links and prompts for further exploration of Dunbar’s legacy and other poetry writing techniques.

A guide to exploring limits through poetry, featuring the poem ‘Eye Chart’ by partially sighted poet Nuala Watt. Designed for KS3/4, this resource encourages students to examine their own strengths and weaknesses, and how these abilities make them feel, using this to create their own ‘Eye Chart’.

This guide illustrates how to share your vision of your own special place. Designed for KS3/4/5 and featuring a poem by Seamus Heaney, this guide allows students to push their descriptive language skills in order to build an accurate picture of their vision for another person.

A guide to encouraging reading poetry aloud as a means to inspire Vision, using photography and tips from poet Glyn Maxwell’s handbook On Poetry (Oberon Books). This resource also features a poem by Charles E. Carryl and is adaptable for all key stages.

A guide to using your dreams to write a poem, created by poet Rachel Long for Apples and Snakes. This detailed guide is designed for KS3/4/5 and includes a poem from My Darling from the Lions (Picador), which is shortlisted for the 2020 Forward Prize for Best First Collection.

A guide to using poetry – based on your name – to create a deeper, more poetic expression of who you truly are. Designed for KS3/4, this guide explores how to use etymology to inspire your student’s writing. Featuring Lucy Webb’s poem ‘Etymology’ from 20:20 Vision: An Anthology by the First Story Group at Saint Gabriel’s College, London.

A guide to outlining your poetic vision for our planet and the environment by Sue Hardy-Dawson. Designed for KS2, this guide includes a poem from Where the Zebra’s Go (Otter-Barry Books) as well as links to more helpful videos from Sue on writing poetry and free teaching resources from CLPE.

A short exercise for KS2 exploring poetry and visual art, from poet John Hegley. Featuring a poem from John and text by Clare Elstow, this guide suggests simple ways to use art to engage poetic responses from students. These activities form part of a larger resource pack produced by Tom MacAndrew, access details are included in this resource.

What does it mean to be a visionary poet? This guide, featuring a poem from American poet Terrance Hayes (with video link), encourages students to try for themselves. Designed for KS4/5, this guide explores a variety of language techniques and includes nods to Greek mythology and Black American literary history.

A guide to exploring how using metaphors in poems can help to build pictures and images in our minds. Designed for KS1/2/3 and featuring an extract from ‘Granny Is’ by Valerie Bloom, use this resource structure to discuss how poems form images in our heads and how metaphors can be used to describe characters.

Use this surreal guessing-game to tease your students into poetry. Designed for KS3/4, this resource invites you to be playful with stories created from everyday things. Featuring the poem ‘Diamonds’ by Evelyn Byrne, commended in the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2019.